[Open] What if we rewrite the stars?

[lostinshadows]

Who: Lavi and You!
When: October 4 - 8 (IC)
Where: Far Shore (mostly). Near Shore.
What: Aftermath of Add things as Lavi checks on his friends, reading and sign language class, and Lavi remembers a demon child from his world.


[A. Lessons for Reading and Signs]

[After finally managing to procure a good place for lessons - he may or may not have snagged a classroom at Hakkai’s school at some point - it was finally time for lessons!]

I. Reading

[For those who wanted assistance in reading, Lavi does have some books piled up on a desktop and he’s looking through a few himself. While some people had shown more interest in sign language, there were still enough people who seemed eager to read as well. The books were all beginner’s level, but there was another pile of books meant for the intermediate level.

He could have just finished helping someone out or waiting for someone to join him.

Either way, Lavi will look up when he hears someone coming in.]

II. Languages

[Languages, languages!

Even if it’s mostly sign languages, in which Lavi had been considerate enough to even make proper notes for the signs and even the alphabet out, all drawn out on the board for people to see.

On the other hand, given Yoon’s own interest in Braille, he has a couple of books for that as well. Digging into the Heaven’s library is taxing, so he took a brief trip to the Near Shore to gather the necessary ones.

He’s even reading something in Braille as he waits for someone to join him.]

[B. The Ghosts Hide in Shadows]

[It’s late into the evenings, but for once, it’s not because Lavi is trying to avoid sleep.

That’s a subject for another time.

Rather, he’s been going around certain temples, such as Nekhbet and Apollo’s temples, mostly to check in on them after whatever happened with Add. Otherwise, he can be seen walking around the Heavens, tracing odd patterns in the air with a finger while having a calculating look on his face.

It’s easy to surprise him like this, but don’t be surprised if he greets you with a hammer to the face.

He’s a little jumpy lately and he’s not afraid to use that hammer of his if he feels the least bit threatened. Unless he recognizes you and then the person is greeted with a smile.]

Evening!

[C. Dreams Become Nightmares]

[He remembers.

It was worse than the other memories he had remembered before, enough to make him remember why exactly he hated sleeping or dreaming in particular. Why he hated it when his dreams were being intruded on, showcasing a part of himself he didn’t even know existed, but it lingered.

Lavi decided: he hates memories.

The echoes of that girl’s laughs haunts him, enough where he’s taken to sneaking out of Cardia’s temple late at night and has taken to hide somewhere or until he finally does feel enough exhaustion to pass out. At this rate, it’s not surprising to see him in the library or at a park or even near a temple he’s visited before. However, he’d usually leave before someone spots him, never really staying at one place and it’s easy enough to see something has made him frightened.

He mumbles to himself, sounding upset and tugs his headband off his head, holding it tightly in his hand while he runs his other hand through his hair.]

Damn Road.

[D. A Walk in Fantasyland - Closed to Ayumu]

[He did promise her a date - or not date. Whatever it’s called.

Since Lavi has grown more familiar with the Near Shore, he opted to take Ayumu around Tokyo first. It’s easy and a little more familiar to him than most places.

So, he waits for her after giving her the time and location, knowing that while he should have gone to pick her up, Lavi actually doesn’t know if she’s still staying with Hakkai or is bunking up somewhere else. Either way, it’s going to be a day for them to hang out and not worry about things like that.]

[E. Wildcard]

[Hit me with a prompt of your own or plot with me at seabutterfly]

Comments

[pure_radiantics]

I guess that's true. [She nods.]

Alright, lead the way. This is Cardia's temple, right? So you need to give us permission to all go down together from here.

[She reaches down to grab Joy's hand in a gentle way to lead her wherever Lavi needs before they teleport down to the Near Shore.]

[lostinshadows]

Alright, this way then.

[He leads the two girls to where he usually goes to be teleported to the Near Shore. And it's not long before the three of them find themselves down onto the Near Shore, Lavi looking over at Kairi and Joy.]

You girls ready?

[pure_radiantics]

[Kairi's used to this by now, but she's still anxious to bring Joy along - just because she's worried it won't work. As soon as they arrive, she clearly checks her hand and then Joy before smiling back at Lavi.]

Ready! Time to investigate a Bad Luck Bakery!

[Which certainly has included ayakashi before, but she doesn't have that bad feeling. Then again...]

You know? I used to be pretty confident I could tell when ayakashi were close because it would put my stomach in knots. Lately I haven't been feeling so nervous around them. I kind of wish I still did.

[Her tone is flat, because yes it's kind of a joke, but it's also a useful alertness tool that she doesn't have anymore.]

But there sure are a lot of people hanging around here... mostly guys.

[lostinshadows]

[He laughs at the nickname Kairi's given the bakery, leading them to it.]

That would've been such a useful thing to have. Can never get enough of having sixth senses when it comes to dealing with ayakashi.

[Lavi shoots her a grin.

But at the observation, he gives a nod.]

Never a good sign, to be honest.

[pure_radiantics]

[Kairi points to an alley beside the bakery.]

I would've suggested going in the back door to be less noticeable even as shinki, but there's a bunch of guys smoking over there too! Just what kind of bad luck does this bakery have if they have so many customers, Lavi?

[She's genuinely confused now.]

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi eyes the men, taking in their appearance.

He shifts, his stance growing tense.]

They don't seem like any normal guys, Kairi. They seem to look like those who'd be in a gang or something.

[pure_radiantics]

[She looks perplexed.]

Gang people hanging out a bakery? That's so strange... they can't just happen to all love the cupcakes.

[She looks across at all of them again.]

Actually I don't think many of them are buying any food at all. That's ridiculous. It looks like they're too busy to serve anyone but they're not actually. Maybe that's why other people are staying away?

[lostinshadows]

Possibly. They look pretty intimidating, so it's no surprise no one wants to go near a place that might look the least bit suspicious.

[And dangerous.]

Maybe we need to find a way to get them all to leave.

[pure_radiantics]

I mean, this can't be their hangout or something, right? I mean, a bakery?

[She's completely incredulous, but then she's also stepping just a little closer to Lavi now.]

Do you think... if we went inside, we'd hear what they were all doing here?

[lostinshadows]

[Another glance at the men hanging around the bakery.]

It's worth a shot. Just stay close just in case.

[And he directs that to Joy, too, before he begins to make his way inside of the bakery.]

[pure_radiantics]

Uh- uh, right. Let's go. They should be able to just ignore us...

[ She grabs Joy's hand and starts walking with her alongside Lavi. ]

Hi there, can we see your specials for today? Or is it possible, you're out with so many people around?

[ She tries to smile big and bright for the store owner. In response, the owner just chuckles wryly. ]

'Ah, no, don't mind them. I still have plenty of inventory from today... but don't worry, for young ladies I'll make sure you get fresh goods and not stale ones!'

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi doesn't really find that chuckle reassuring as he glances out, keeping close to the girls.

Then he looks back at the owner.]

What's their deal, anyway? Why're they hanging around here so much?

This should get us closer to the prayer goal

[pure_radiantics]

[ Kairi watches as several pairs of eyes move to level at the trio. ]

'Oh it's just a convenient location on their way to work, that's all.'

[ Lavi can probably tell that he rattled that off quickly while also being incredibly dismissive about it. Like it's his standard response he gives a lot of times when people ask that, rather than simply saying something like "I don't know you'd have to ask them." ]

Second or third shift then. That makes sense then to have a late breakfast.

[ Kairi tries to cover for the poor man when she sees all of those eyes turn to him instead. ]

That could be a nice way to get more interest, you know - I bet a lot of the other breakfast places around here close early, right? Around 9 or 10am?

[ And it's well after that. ]

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi feels those eyes on them and it almost has him bristling, only managing to restrain himself from doing so.]

She's right about that. Since it's so convenient, you can definitely boost up your business, too.

[He cranes his head back a bit, looking at the people before turning his attention back to the owner.]

We can probably help you out with that.

Turning this one in now, woo

[pure_radiantics]

[Kairi nods excitedly.]

If we tell a few of the schoolkids in the area, maybe some of them would like to eat brunch here! Or come after school for a club event.

[The gentlemen around them don't sound thrilled by the idea, but they also aren't trying to stop the suggestions either.]

'I'll, well... I'll think about it. I mean, who wants to turn down more business, right?'

[He laughs wryly as the older men vacate the business, disappearing down the side alley. After they leave, he heaves a sigh of relief.]

'I was on the ropes until recently anyway, so your suggestions... Leave it to kids to get creative. But I'm not sure it'd be safe... you know, for kids to be hanging out with a bunch of rougher guys around at the same time. I'd prefer if it was just nice kids like you, of course, but... Like I said, I couldn't turn down their business.'

[For so many reasons, but he can't say that.]

Prayer Chain starting with #65 for #23

[pure_radiantics]

[Kairi accepts their snacks and hands one to Joy as she frowns toward Lavi, before finally looking back to the man.]

I think I understand what you mean, though - those guys didn't seem too friendly. They weren't buying anything today either.

[He lets out a derisive snort.]

'They never buy anything.'

[Kairi furrows her brow then. But he did say that he 'accepted business' from them... didn't he? She bites into her snack while she thinks on that.]

[lostinshadows]

[Kairi, did you expect him to be kind with his words?

Lavi tucks his hands into his pockets.]

Then what kind of business do you do with those guys?

[pure_radiantics]

[The guy suddenly gets very defensive.]

'What's it to kids like you?'

[Kairi smirks over at Lavi. No, she didn't expect him to be kind. This is tough regardless.]

Because you prayed for a change, right? Something about your connection to them must not really sit well with you.

[He appears to have that 'How Did You Know About That?' look on his face, trying to decide if he can trust them.]

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi nods in agreement with Kairi.]

We can help you out, even if you don't think we can.

[He grins.]

If you prayed for a change, then you gotta be able to trust us even a little bit.

[pure_radiantics]

Exactly!

[ Kairi smiles over at Lavi, then looks back at the gentleman, who sighs. ]

'Kinda weird when two redheads show up at the same time... alright.'

[Joy's Far Shore blending-in appears to be working overtime.]

'I'm having trouble figuring out if my first prayer ever reached the heavens in the first place... I asked for more business, and I got it. I was on the verge of closing and, for awhile at least, having those guys come around was the best boost I'd had in awhile. They paid me to look the other way if I saw anything strange, and for any of my goods they bought. After awhile they stopped buying anything, and my business got a rep for shady people hanging around...

So did my prayer really get answered? Or was that a punishment? And now here I am, praying again...'

[He lowers his head.]

'Because I can't get out of these dire straights on my own - or get rid of those guys enough to restore my reputation. I'm sunk if nothing changes soon.'

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi cups his chin in thought.

He glances at Kairi briefly before he looks back at the owner.]

Do you know what those guys actually do?

[Because this does sound odd to him.]

Since those guys seems to be doing the most damage, we can work on getting them away from your store first.

[pure_radiantics]

'I think it's a mostly buy-and-sell sorta business, you know what I'm saying?'

[While well intentioned, he's looking mostly at Lavi for that part, as if trying to spare the two young ladies.]

That could be almost anything though!

[Kairi's not having it, arms crossing. She's angry at the men for causing this guy trouble primarily. She assumes he just doesn't know.]

They just randomly picked your bakery?

[He rubs the nape of his neck anxiously.]

No, I think they were... trying not to get found while doing their buying and selling, missy.

[lostinshadows]

[The look being sent at him has Lavi making a face behind Kairi's back, not directed at her but at the man himself.

Honestly, he knows what the man is getting at. In a way, it's a good thing Kairi just seems more angry on the man's behalf.]

Considering the location, it would be a good place for them to do their business.

[Why did this suddenly seem ten times more difficult than it had to be?]

Definitely gets them out of the public's eyes long enough that it doesn't seem very suspicious.

9/10 woo

[pure_radiantics]

[ Kairi looks over at Lavi as he considers that aloud. A good place...? ]

So... then we could drop a hint to the police so you don't have to.

[ That's her first, most immediate thought, even if it's a little naive. She's not genuinely sure it will work, but if there's no ayakashi involved, then maybe that's all it would take. ]

And we can even tell them you're not with those guys! That you were pressured into this...?

[ She's trying to sound hopeful, but the storeowner is grimacing at her suggestion, not able to summon nearly as much hope as she can. ]

If you... think that's my only option...

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi has...reservations about the police, though he doesn't dare question it aloud.

Not right now.]

We can give it a try. If not, then we can only go with another option.

[He keeps his tone casual.

Really, he has a really good idea how they might have to handle this group and it makes him honestly a little excited. Though, he's not sure how Kairi would react to it at first.]